Tuesday, September 6 2005 15:51 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Kolkata: To promote tourism in the state, Jharkhand, which has reduced sales tax on Aviation turbine fuel (ATF), would open bids this week from private airlines to start a subsidised air service on the Kolkata-Ranchi sector.

''We have reduced sales tax on aviation turbine fuel to four per cent from 24 per cent in the state, Jharkhand Chief Minister Arjun Munda told reporters at a Jharkhand tourism roadshow here last night.

''It will be a subsidised low cost air service from Kolkata to Ranchi,'' he said. The bids would be opened this week, he said adding that talks were held with several airlines.

To a question, he said that the proposed low cost air service would be a daily flight. Apart from subsidised airlines, the state government was also going for public-private partnership to promote tourism in the state. A roadmap was currently being prepared.

Stating that tourism had been declared an industry in Jharkhand, he said that the state had enormous potential for eco tourism, religious tourism and adventure"tourism.

Munda said that to promote the eastern region, a proposal was floated to have a council such as in West Bengal, Jharkhand and Orissa. ''I had a talk with my counterparts in West Bengal, Orissa and also with the Chief Minister of Chhatisgarh Munda said.

To a question whether the maoist threat would pose problems for tourists, Munda said that the maoists did not harm tourists.